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"If I knew then what I know now, I would have exploited the faith community more. The church infrastructure is powerful."
 Former Philadelphia Mayor,   Reverand Wilson Goode
Faith-based Initiatives


Presidential candidates and policymakers alike are discovering the successful results and the untapped potential of faith-based non-profits. Especially in the areas of welfare reform, youth issues, and affordable housing these groups have attracted a host of volunteers willing to provide mentoring skills, technical expertise, and compassion.

The term "faith-based" can mean that the non-profit has a religious affiliation or it can mean that the group's mission statement is based upon spiritual principles but not necessarily church-sponsored. A host of faith-based groups across the nation such as the Jobs Partnership, People for People, Feed My People, The House of Hope and others have developed highly successful job skills/mentoring programs. The following groups represent some of the faith-based non-profits founded by civic entrepreneurs in the last 20 years. Many of these programs have also been successfully replicated.

People for People

The Jobs Partnership

St. Martin dePorres House of Hope

Bridging, Inc.

Matthew House

Jobs for a Future

Jubilee Ministries

Empty Tomb

Feed My People

The 1996 Welfare Reform Act was an important step in reducing the welfare roles. However, it left a gap in the areas of job-seeking, job-training, and job-sustaining skills to encourage independence. Faith-based groups, most of which were already in existence prior to 1996, have risen to the occasion and helped to meet that challenge in a compassionate way. Some groups are supported entirely by donations, others have opted for a combination of public and private funding. Faith-based groups are built around a variety of missions ranging from rehabilitation of youth gang members like Jobs for a Future to providing furnishings to those in transition like Bridging, Inc.

They've been the "job skills safety net" for thousands of individuals leaving the welfare rolls as well as the vehicle for providing life-sustaining support for a growing number of single women with children. Faith-based groups make a point of following through with each individual they assist. The spiritual, emotional, and practical sides of a person's life are equally important in achieving the final goal of self-sufficiency.

Faith-based initiatives have grown in greater numbers throughout the country over the last 15-20 years. A partial reason for the growth is a pulling back of block grants by the federal government to cities. Local volunteer efforts have had to rise up and meet the need, and they've done so in remarkable ways. Former Mayor Rev. Wilson Goode of Philadelphia stated recently that "If I knew then what I know now, I would have exploited the faith community more. The church infrastructure is powerful."


Policy Research Links

The Hudson Institute - Welfare Policy Center
The Welfare Policy Center (WPC) conducts research and provides technical assistance on welfare reform and works with governments and service providers to help redesign and implement effective new systems of aid intended to help families achieve self-sufficiency and build better lives. WPC offers views on welfare reforms being tried and challenges policy makers to explore new ideas.The WPC is a project of the Indianapolis-based Hudson Institute. Visit their bookstore for publications like Establishing a Church-based Welfare to Work Mentoring Ministry: A Practical "How To" Manual and Putting Faith in Neighborhoods by former Indianapolis mayor Stephen Goldsmith now Chairman, Corporation for National and Community Service. www.hudson.org

Faith-Works Consulting
To establish and equip locally based intermediary training organizations throughout North America that mobilize churches and other faith-based organizations to provide comprehensive support and mentoring for individuals and families struggling with poverty, welfare, homelessness and related issues.
Faith Works Consulting
184 E. 26th Street
Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-394-9212
Fax: 616-394-452

The White House-Office of Faith-based/Community Initiatives
Recent speeches and articles of President Bush's position on faith-based and community initiatives. This site details the president's position on welfare reform and the importance of faith-based groups in solving community social problems.

Copyright Power of One Publishing  2007